31 Castlegate Cafe – Downstairs

This cafe is split in two, with the cafe (cheaper) section downstairs and a more upmarket restaurant-type experience upstairs. This review is for the downstairs.

In this cafe you take a seat and wait to be served, then pay afterwards.

Great food, excellent service

Although the downstairs is more of a cafe experience than the upstairs restaurant, the downstairs cafe is still rather posh when compared to other cafes you might visit. The decor is cosy and clean and the environment is warm and friendly.

I have been here twice now. The first time I foolishly did not try their famous breakfast, so this time I was eager to try it for this review.

The 31 Cafe breakfast has had great reviews elsewhere and I can see why.

It takes a while to arrive, probably because it is not hastily thrown together as you would normally expect with a cooked breakfast, but it is definitely worth the wait.

There was a nice variety of foods on the plate: plenty of bacon, two sausages, fried egg, beans, mushrooms, potatoes, a tomato, black pudding and bread on the side. The meal also came with free tea, with a top-up pot of hot water and the option to refill the pot.

I don’t think I’ve ever had a cafe breakfast better than this one, perhaps some equal to it out in the countryside, but none better. It was delicious, and there was so much protein in there I found it difficult to eat my dinner six hours later.

I also need to give a mention to the service, which was first class. I honestly believe that other cafe owners could learn something valuable from a visit to 31. The first time I visited I thought maybe we were treated to that ‘new customer’ experience, especially as it was the owner that served us.

The service was still top notch this time, from one of the girls serving instead of the owner. They are courteous and sincere, without being overbearing.

I would recommend 31 to anyone.

31 Castlegate, York, YO1 9RN, Tel: 01904 621404

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